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The successful deployment of advanced nuclear energy requires ensuring safety, security, and environmental protection through responsible commercial operations and effective regulation. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is responsible for the licensing of nuclear reactors in the United States and conducts a comprehensive review of all stages of nuclear power operations, from initial site selection and nuclear materials handling to decommissioning. While the NRC licensing process may seem complex, understanding it is vital for both public and private stakeholders. 

NIA’s new report “Licensing 101” by Program Manager Brittany Lutz and Research Director Patrick White aims to demystify the reactor licensing process by providing an overview of the existing regulatory framework governing nuclear reactors. This paper describes how the NRC licensing process works for new nuclear reactors and demonstrates how continual improvements to the licensing process and adaptation to emerging technological developments will allow the NRC to better facilitate the rapid deployment of advanced nuclear technologies 

This NIA fact sheet highlights the expected advanced reactor engagement with the NRC in fiscal year 2025

Developing new nuclear power projects is a complex and challenging task. Project development for an energy project involves investing in, coordinating, and executing a range of activities from site selection to licensing and engineering. Technological advances offer the possibility of developing nuclear power projects of a variety of sizes and capital requirements, opening the door for new approaches to project development.  

NIA’s new report “New Nuclear Project Development” by NIA Senior Fellow Stephen Greene provides a primer on project development including what roles need to be filled, the stages of project development, and what capabilities are needed to be a project developer. The report is intended to serve as a resource for stakeholders including regulators, congressional staff, media, developers, advocates and others interested in the role of nuclear power in meeting our climate and energy commitments.  

To view NIA's press statement regarding the publication of this paper, click here.  

The Nuclear Innovation Alliance hosted a publication release webinar for our newest publication "New Nuclear Project Development," by Stephen Greene. This webinar featured report author and NIA senior fellow Stephen Greene, Jeffrey Miller of TerraPower, Craig Bealmear of Oklo and moderator Judi Greenwald of NIA. 

This report provides a primer on project development including what roles need to be filled, the stages of project development, and what capabilities are needed to be a project developer. The report is intended to serve as a resource for stakeholders including regulators, congressional staff, media, developers, advocates and others interested in the role of nuclear power in meeting our climate and energy commitments. 

To read the report click here. 

Washington D.C. Since 2016, The Nuclear Innovation Bootcamp (NIB) has enhanced the careers of students and young professionals working or looking to work in the advanced nuclear energy sector. As the demand for experienced leadership, new ideas, and professional development in this field continues to grow, NIB will be an increasingly important recruitment pipeline for diverse, creative, and energetic young talent.

Looking forward, NIB is preparing to embark on the next phase of its development by focusing on three core initiatives:

• Strengthening its commitments to innovation education and increasing diversity in the nuclear energy sector
• Expanding its engagement with a broader range of communities and industries
• Recruiting talent from underrepresented disciplines and professions

Before embarking on these changes, NIB started by learning from those at the center of our program:
the 175 participants of our first six Bootcamps who now make up our alumni network. The information in
this report is largely based on survey results and interviews from this group. We hope that you will find
the information and stories below as motivating as we do.

On September 19th, 2024, Dr. Patrick White testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources during a full committee hearing to examine fusion energy technology development. To view Dr. White's written testimony and opening remarks, click the 'download' button below.  To view a recording of the full hearing, click the following link: https://www.energy.senate.gov/hearings/2024/9/full-committee-hearing-to 

This brief authored by NIA Executive Director Judi Greenwald connects the role of advanced nuclear energy in meeting climate and energy security goals with the urgent need for NRC reform to enable advanced nuclear energy. It outlines the short-, medium- and long-term NRC reforms that are necessary to achieve that goal. It provides recommendations for action by Congress and the NRC and highlights several of NIA's recommendations for improving licensing efficiency. NIA developed this brief to serve as a guide for policymakers, the NRC itself, and key stakeholders in considering and then taking action to ensure the NRC can "become an agile, modern, risk-informed, and performance-based regulator to successfully meet this moment."

This paper compiles a set of specific NIA recommendations for NRC reforms that would facilitate the licensing and deployment of advanced nuclear energy at scale. It also describes the specific roles of different players (Congress, the NRC Commission, NRC management and staff, and advanced reactor license applicants) in creating a modernized, effective regulator. 

Two important developments make this update particularly timely. First, Congress recently enacted the ADVANCE Act, providing NRC with additional authorities and reporting requirements that the agency must effectively implement and complete. Second, the NRC just announced a new Executive Director for Operations and is in the process of filling several vacancies in key leadership positions. The incoming leadership has the opportunity to inspire, empower, and hold accountable the NRC staff for new levels of high performance.    

To view NIA's press statement regarding the publication of this paper, click here.

NIA's response to the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's (EERE's) Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO) request for information regarding strategies for industrial decarbonization. (DE-FOA-0003363).

This brief presents the case for continued investment in the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP) to ensure the successful deployment of advanced nuclear energy technologies. It discusses the many benefits that a successful ARDP brings with it and why continued investment should be prioritized. More specifically, the following topics and benefits are discussed:

1. Providing new commercial use cases for advanced nuclear energy
2. Creating benefits for other advanced nuclear energy projects
3. Accelerating U.S. NRC licensing of advanced nuclear reactors
4. Attracting private capital
5. Creating high quality jobs both locally and nationally.